• 24 January 1999.
  Decided we were going to get married finally. After being together for 12 years and engaged for 5, do you think perhaps we're rushing things a bit?

• 31 January
  Went to the Wedding Show at Manchester G-Mex. Scary!!!! Saw a guy from work there who was trying to stay incognito but had to admit that he'd been rumbled. Wandered round having leaflets thrust into our faces, tried on a dress that scared me witless; not just because of the price, but because I looked all grown up in it; got a couple of groovy goody bags and went home feeling totally shellshocked!

• 3 February
  Rang my best friend Rachel, who lives a squillion miles away. Told her the news, and she let out some real ear-bleeding screams, and then innocently enquired, "Oh, are you pregnant then?" Thanks mate. Definitely a meringue bridesmaid dress for you!

• 10 February
  Humph. Turned 29. Still, I may be a "spinster of the parish" now, but that's all gonna change. Don't try this one at home, though. Not a good enough basis for a marriage, is it?

• 13 February
  Oh my GOD!!! Found my wedding dress today. As soon as I can find a pic I will post it up here. I am hiring it for the paltry sum of £150, bargain. I'm only a size 6 and the dress was a twelve that I tried on but it gave me a good idea how it will look. BUT....you know when you try on a dress, and the people around you are saying, "you're beautiful, it's so you, blah blah blah"....the sensible part of you thinks, "Calm down, I look alright," but your ego is saying "MORE,TELL ME MORE!" Exactly.
  Later the same day...
  Went to our chosen venue to speak to the wedding co-ordinator. Booked 9th October for the whole thing, including the ceremony. Altogether there was me, Simon, and his mum and dad. The co-ordinator ignored me completely...probably thought I was Simon's little sister!!! :o) Anyway, the venue is gorgeous, and you can find more details on the venue page.

• 20 February
  Bought our wedding rings today!!! Simon has a rose gold band, very nice too, and mine has Millennium hallmarks all round the outside, like this: . But not in black! The rings came from Ernest Jones. I also got shoes, not traditional wedding shoes, but some really funky pale blue strappy sandals from Shelleys. I have my tiara too, a silver and blue crystal one from the Top Shop Mikey range. It was only £15, I really didn't want to pay loads for a tiara. Simon tried some suits on in Moss Bros and looked fab!!!! He looked all grown up, I was so impressed, I think he was too! All in all a productive day!

• 21 February
  Ordered our wedding stationary today from WH Smith Hmm Mega Clubcard points for Simon! The pics are brilliant...kind of stick bride and groom, with the words, "We're tying the knot!" I told Rachel, and she said she could imagine it, if we'd had slushy pink flowery invites, people would know we were taking the mick! She knows me too well.
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